Chapter 21: The Home That Lies
At the Motel— Caelen’s Room
It was morning already as the sun rays streamed through the finely crafted wooden windows of the hotel room. Golden light spilled across the bed, warming the naked forms lying tangled beneath soft white blankets. Caelen lay in the middle, one arm draped over Veralia and the other over Reina. Both women clung to him like he was their anchor to reality.
Their breathing was soft, peaceful.
Caelen slowly blinked his eyes open, the ceiling above him blurry at first before sharpening into view. His silver hair fanned behind his head on the pillow as he stretched slightly. The scent of lavender lingered in the air, a faint remnant of last night’s bath oils.
He looked left, then right.
Veralia’s hair was a mess, strands sticking to her cheek. Reina had a hand over her face, her chest rising and falling calmly. Caelen chuckled softly and leaned down, planting a light kiss on each of their foreheads. They murmured in their sleep and instinctively pulled closer, burying their faces into his bare chest.
He stared at the ceiling again and sighed.
"I think I drank too much wine last night..."
His voice was hoarse, thoughtful.
"I wonder how Ryan is doing... I made him drink too... I hope he’s sober already."
He gently slid out of the bed, pulling a towel from the nearby rack and wrapping it around his waist. His defined torso caught the light, his chest and abs glistening slightly with sweat. He cracked his neck once.